The Global Open OnDemand (GOOD) Conference will return March 9–12, 2026, at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, bringing together users, developers, and contributors from around the world to share how Open OnDemand is advancing accessible, user-friendly high performance computing (HPC).
Building on the success of the inaugural conference in 2025, GOOD 2026 reflects the continued growth of the global Open OnDemand community and its expanding impact across research, education, and industry. The four-day, in-person event is designed to support both knowledge sharing and hands-on engagement through a mix of technical sessions and collaborative discussions.
Developed by the Ohio Supercomputer Center and funded by the National Science Foundation, Open OnDemand is an open-source web portal that simplifies access to advanced computing resources through a browser-based interface. Used by institutions around the world, Open OnDemand enables researchers, educators, and students to run complex computational workflows without needing specialized local software or command-line expertise.
The GOOD Conference will begin Monday, March 9, with a Contributor Jam, offering attendees an opportunity to work directly with Open OnDemand developers. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of Open OnDemand’s core components and leave with the knowledge and tools needed to contribute to the platform’s continued development.
The main conference program runs March 10–12 and includes talks, panels, and Birds-of-a-Feather sessions highlighting practical implementations, emerging technologies, and community-led innovation.
The GOOD 2026 program will feature sessions spanning a range of technical focus areas, including:
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Supporting AI and machine learning workflows through Open OnDemand
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Managing interactive applications, remote desktops, and visualization at scale
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Integrating Open OnDemand with cloud, container, and hybrid computing environments
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Addressing security, authentication, and access challenges in shared research infrastructure
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Sustaining and evolving open-source research software through community collaboration
“The GOOD Conference continues to reflect the strength and growth of the Open OnDemand community,” said Alan Chalker, Open OnDemand project lead and director of strategic programs at the Ohio Supercomputer Center. “By bringing together users and contributors from around the world, GOOD creates an environment where ideas can be exchanged, challenges addressed, and new collaborations formed to help make advanced computing more accessible to all.”
The full program schedule is available on the GOOD conference website.
The GOOD Conference is organized by NumFOCUS, a nonprofit organization that promotes open practices in research, data, and scientific computing.
The conference will take place at the University Guest House & Conference Center and is hosted by the University of Utah.
Registration for professionals and students is now open. The GOOD Conference is a welcoming event for all. For information about eligibility for financial assistance to attend the event, please contact the conference organizers at info@openondemand.org.
Written by Lexi Biasi
The Ohio Supercomputer Center (OSC) addresses the rising computational demands of academic and industrial research communities by providing a robust shared infrastructure and proven expertise in advanced modeling, simulation and analysis. OSC empowers scientists with the services essential to making extraordinary discoveries and innovations, partners with businesses and industry to leverage computational science as a competitive force in the global knowledge economy and leads efforts to equip the workforce with the key technology skills required for 21st century jobs.
